Florist help... how much r u paying for florist in comparison to ur budget?Update.

I'm having a bouquet, 3 bridesmaid bouquets, 2 corsages, 12 button holes, approx 10 table centres, a top table arrangement (which will also be used on the registrar table) and some greenary on the top table. This is costing approx £850.

EDIT: Sorry, missed some of your questions. This is around 5% of my budget but this is purely because my venue is quite expensive. If i'd gone for a different venue, I might have allowed more for the flowers but I don't think I need to go mad on flowers with the type of venue i've got for. I'm not getting married in church so the cost above only reflects decorating once place.

Is there another wedding in your church on the same day? If so, there may be a conflict of colour themes.....although, then again, if similar, the costs can be shared giving you and the other couple a saving...

.

Hi Lucie

Statistics suggest that people tend to spend on average 5-10% of their budget on flowers, but that depends hugely on how important they are for you.

If you're getting married in a Church it's worth asking what/if theire flower guild can provide. Quite often something fairly neutral will be put together for you, and anyone else getting married the same weekend as you. If not, and you want to provide something, I would usually suggest a couple of pedestals that can be moved from the Church to the reception venue afterwards. It's nice to have something at the entrance to introduce your themes to your guests, and something by the altar. I wouldn't worry too much about having anything where you will be signing the register, it works just as well to put your bouquet down on the table. Pew ends are lovely, as long as the aisle is wide enough to accommodate 2 pew ends, you and whoever is giving you away. Some aisles are really narrow! Also, there is no need to have a pew end on every pew; alternate rows looks just as effective. You can even buy fanastic holders called 'clip-its' which have a pew end hanger that snaps off, enabling you to sit the arrangement flat and use them as table decorations after the service if you want to.

In terms of venue decoration, the cost of table centres etc varies hugely, according to your location, florist, the time of year you're getting married and the size and content of your arrangements. Realistically, your florist should be able to design a minimal table centre for under £20 rising to over £100 - it really all depends on the look you want to achieve and whether you love flowers enough to want to justiy the expense.

Not sure if that raises more questions than it answers, but hope it's a start!!

Georgie

Am paying my florist 5% of my budget. your florist can usually suggest how many flowers you need and where.

we are having flowers at the front door to my venue, two large arrangements on pedestals on either side of the signing table, a low arrangement on the signing table, buttonholes for groom and 4 groomsmen, flowers at the end of every other pew. centrepieces for my 20 (!!!) tables (half tall stem lily vases, half low sprawling arrangements, all over circular flat mirrors with tea lights).

NO bouquets for me or BMs!! doesn't go with my dress and i think it's a bit of a waste...

Hi - totally agree with Georgie - varies according to taste and budget. There are lots of ways that you can still make a 'statement' and create impact by using minimalistic arrangements. Your florist will be able to advise you on the best flowers to use for this purpose that will fit in with your theme and style. I always think that less is more when it comes to venue table decoration and some flowers make stunning centrepieces in tall vases with just a few stems of foliage such as calla lilies, oriental lilies, delphiniums, strelitzia. You can also use vases with unusual shaped twigs such as twisted willow entwined with tiny fairy lights or large ostrich feathers.

I'm spending about 1.5% of my budget on flowers...

For me, I didn't want to spend a lot on my flowers as I will be holding them to walk down the aisle, back up the aisle and for photos so couldn't justify a big cost. I'm having a simple handtied of gerberas and it's costing £50 (still sounds expensive to me for about an hours usage). There will also be 2 small bridesmiads bouquest, 3 ladies corsages, 9 mens buttonholes and around 8 table decorations (fishbowls with floating gerbera heads).

I'm having my bouquet, 2 BMs bouquets, thank you flowers for MOTB and MOTG, 1 long low arrangement for the register table/top table, 3 button holes and 10 centerpieces for £350 although I'm going to try and bring that price down. Basically, I've changed my mind on what I want for my bouquet - as I do.....lol

Think its probably about 2% of my budget.

Hi,

I'm spending about 5% of my budget on the flowers which is £1,170 though I'm having Orchids and Cala Lillies which i've been told are the two most expensive flowers and also out of season when I get married! I'm having a tear drop bouquet which is about 2ft, 3 bridesmaid bouquets, tob table/ registrar table piece, a smaller version of my top table on the grand piano, and 10 button holes but alot of the cost all comes down to the flowers you pick honey, so pick well x

Thanks everyone, i dont know what id do without you all!!!

I was thinking bright pink gerberas, bright green foliage/flowers with them to set them off with a touch of a few random ivory flowers lol. I think im right in saying gerberas are on the cheaper end of maket especially when i get married at the end of May (hooray! Makes a change!).

1 Brides bouquet

2 Bridesmaid bouquet

5 buttonholes

6 high candlabra arrangements

1 long and low arrangement for top table

But im undecided about church! Maybe a couple of front pews with flowers and pedestall.

The general quotes im getting is about £500 (which eqates to 4% of my budget). Which is way above my budget of £350 (about 2.3% of budget)! Argh, my budgeting was going so well too!

Thanks

I'm having bright pink gerberas. The pic below is my bouquet (quoted £50) and the smaller one is for BMs (quoted £20). Gerbera buttonholes were quoted at £1.50 ad £5 for the ladies (bit fancier). Table decs were quoted £5 for a floating gerbera head and coloured crystals..

I'm not having anything on the regsirar table, will just use my flowers plus I don't really think it needs much. My florists price list did mention ivy at something like £7 per metre - maybe you could use this to help keep costs down...?

The pedestal could probably be done by the Church ladies which would save you around £70 ish on the florist's quote....... most churches have regular flower arrangers who take it in turns to do the church flowers. If you go for neutral/ivory/white shades, this would 'fit in' with their normal schedule. Or if you have set your heart on having the pink gerbera included in this as well, you could request this and they may ask for a donation to cover the cost. Each church has different schemes for supplying church flowers so best to check with your minister. Some church ladies are very helpful and accommodating with Brides - others can be battleaxes! I've experience both LOL!!

Thanks i hadnt thought about asking this!!!!

Also, I LOVE THOSE PINK GERBERA PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That seems like a very fair price to me, i really dont wish to be ripped off!

Omg thats brilliant quote!! Some of mine are 75quid for pedastal alone and bride bouquet £90. What area are you Trickers?

We are having Burgundy and Cream Gerbera's with lots of foliage

1 shower bridal bouquet

3 over the arm bridesmaids bouquets

1 groom buttonhold

9 normal buttonholes

5 corsages

4ft top table display

7 goldfish bowls filled (we bought the bowls seperately)

2 mothers thank you bouquets

1 smaller thank you bouquet

inc delivery £325